"the word carries a sense of charm paired with a little orneriness"
I’m a full-time artist, born and raised in the Midwest, and currently based in Manhattan, Kansas. Before returning to the heartland, I lived and worked in Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles. My portfolio is broad, shaped by years spent alongside people from many corners of the world—and by the companionship we share with “man & beast.”
My style isn’t easy to pin down. It moves between abstract modernism, figurative work, and nature-inspired themes. At the center of it all is a lifelong love for animals and the quiet magic of the natural world—something my mother planted in me early. A Midwest farmgirl at heart, she spent summers at her grandmother’s farm and passed that devotion to nature on to me. She also sparked my passion for art. I spent countless hours by her side, whether she was at her easel or surrounded by our furry family members.
Like her father, I adopted the moniker I sign my work with: Hoodoo. More common in the 1800s, the word carries a sense of charm paired with a little orneriness. I lean into that spirit to shape the personalities of my creatures—playful, curious, and sometimes delightfully unruly. My themes are varied, and so are my mediums. Using oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, pigment inks, and charcoal, I aim to capture a whimsical energy in every muse. I’m a portrait artist at heart, but I don’t believe in limits—my work lives on both paper and canvas.
Along with my undergraduate work at Kansas State University, I studied traditional methods and art theory at the University of North Texas. My professional path as an artist began by happenstance, when a fellow artist asked for help finishing a project for a Hollywood client. One opportunity led to another, and before long, I found my second career.
Eventually, family obligations brought me back home to the wheatfields. Living in major metropolitan centers gave me the gift of friendships with people from all walks of life, and a deeper appreciation for the road less traveled. Returning to my roots has offered a different kind of richness—the nurturing pace and steady inspiration that a simpler life can provide.
Through my work, I strive to capture the spirit of each living thing, with the hope that it brings you joy.
Thank you so much for visiting my website. If you have any questions at all, please reach out through my contact page—I’d love to hear from you.
